Tely Labs TelyHD

You can get Skype on nearly every computer, tablet, and smartphone out there, but unless you have a few very specific devices the popular video chat software hasn't been available on HDTVs. Some Panasonic, Sony, and Samsung HDTVs run Skype with their respective webcam accessories; video chat is possible through Windows Live Messenger on an Xbox 360 and Microsoft Kinect; and you can chat over Google Talk with a Biscotti ($199, 3 stars) (or use Biscotti's own service). Overall, though, ubiquitous video and voice chat service is underrepresented. Tely Labs aims to change that with the TelyHD, a webcam and Skype device that plugs into your HDTV and offers video chatting out of the box. It works with any HDTV and most Wi-Fi networks, and is just like having Skype on your screen. It's a bit expensive at $249.99 (direct), but it stands as the best, easiest way to get video chat on your couch.

Design
The camera measures 2.7 by 10.8 by 2.9 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.1 ounces, making it about the same size as the Microsoft Kinect. It looks a lot like the Kinect, in fact, even if it has only one sensor. The large, wide camera component on a base makes it resemble the gaming accessory and video chat device much more than any webcam. The TelyHD camera can pivot up and down, but unlike the Kinect it can't pan, and you have to manually move the camera to adjust its position, since there's no motorized camera adjustment.

The front of the camera has an indicator light and button for answering calls, which is very handy when you're watching something else. Since the camera doesn't have an HDMI pass-through, you need to actively switch to the camera to make or receive calls. Even if your display isn't set to the camera's input, the button will flash and speakers on the side will ring with the Skype call tone, letting you know to change inputs and accept the call. A sliding door over the lens lets you cover it when you want to ensure privacy. If you don't want to use the remote, or can't find it quickly enough, the button answers Skype calls. The back of the camera holds a mini-HDMI output (it comes with a mini-HDMI-to-HDMI cable), an Ethernet port, an SD card slot, and USB and miniUSB ports.

The visual interface looks like an HDTV-friendly version of Skype, with contacts shown like large icons, and a sidebar on the left to show additional information. The graphics are nearly identical to Skype for the PC, with the same contact and status icons. All text has to be entered with the remote, which makes adding contacts tedious. This is a problem with most set-top boxes that accept text and don't have a keyboard, though, and since the camera doesn't support text chat over Skype it's not a major issue. The included membrane remote includes buttons for navigating lists, answering and hanging up phone calls, and bringing up the menu.

Performance
Video quality is very good for a webcam. The TelyHD isn't high-definition capable, but it's fairly sharp and smooth over Wi-Fi. When calling people on multiple webcams and on an iPhone 4, my picture came in clearly on both computer monitors and the Retina display. The picture quality on my end wasn't as good, though, because of the resolution limitations of a sub-high definition webcam and of the iPhone 4's front-facing camera. It's still legible, but very fuzzy when put on a 42-inch HDTV, whereas a high definition webcam looked quite nice on the screen.

Since the TelyHD only uses Skype, you can't call people through other chat products like Google Talk or Biscotti users. On the other hand, Skype is the? most popular video chat software available, and it's free to download to any computer or mobile device user, so it's not a big setback. If you have friends with a webcam, you can call them on the TelyHD over Skype; all they have to do is download the software. The TelyHD can also share photos with other TelyHD users: Load a memory card or a USB drive into the camera and you can share photos during video calls.

The TelyHD is pricey. But if you want to video chat on your HDTV, $250 gets you a self-contained unit that can handle Skype well, produces good video, and even rings when you get calls. It doesn't have the pass-through video feed of the Biscotti, but the improved video quality and Skype support both make up for it and for the $50 increase in price. If you have a Panasonic HDTV, you could pay less and get the TY-CC10W webcam. Otherwise, the TelyHD is the best option for video chats with your HDTV on Skype.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/tM0OyDIscMc/0,2817,2399163,00.asp

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